This Design, Access and Heritage Statement has been prepared by _space as part of a full planning and listed building consent application on behalf of DAV Developments Ltd. The application is for the proposed conversion and refurbishment of buildings located at 5-13 Grey Street, 5-7 Drury Lane and 6-8 Cloth Market (Balmbras Bar) into a leisure complex that includes a minimum four star hotel to Grey Street and Drury lane and a high quality bar to the Cloth Market and Drury Lane.

Certainly looks an interesting development and with recent discussions on Balmbas it is notable that the development promises a high quality bar.

Even if we strike out the reference to a high quality bar, to build a luxury hotel is brave. I can't imagine a nights kip in a 4star hotel being assisted by the Bigg Market customers popping home close to sunrise after a beer or two. It would need a significant change in the character of the street.

This is a really interesting development. Looking at those plans they aim to build some kind of leisure development up Drury lane? There are loads of new doors- I assume to new bars/ restaurants. This would therefore spill out onto the Drury lane? And then an entrance into Balmbras?
My question it about the hotel. Are we not becoming to the point where we have enough?

Edit: After looking at the planning documents, their doesn't seem to be any parking spaces included in this development, so therefor this hotel I assume will not be able to be granted a 5* rating, or am I mistaken?

__________________The stars are falling into bombs!

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Edit: After looking at the planning documents, their doesn't seem to be any parking spaces included in this development, so therefor this hotel I assume will not be able to be granted a 5* rating, or am I mistaken?

I would imagine that they will get around this by offering valet parking.

__________________
Regards

Steve Ellwood

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A continuation of yesterdays Chronicle story in todays Journal, but it contains a bit more detail about the proposals . . .

Luxury in the City Centre
by Peter McCusker, The Journal, March 18th 2011

Plans for a new hotel fronting on Grey Street, include revamping Drury Lane, which runs from Mosley Street to the Cloth Market “with feature arches and cobbles, which will give it the feel of a city like York”.

DAV plans to develop the former music hall in Balmbras pub in the Cloth Market as a function suite for weddings and corporate events.

Mr Malhotra continued: “We will be spending £12m to £15m on developing the hotel. Our aim is to deliver a London-standard destination venue.

“There will be a rooftop restaurant which will allow guests to appreciate the views and celebrate the glory of Grey Street.

“Grey Street is one of the Top 10 streets in Europe. The hotel will be in an ideal location in close proximity to the city centre, the railway station and the Quayside. It has been sad to see the decline of one of the one of the most historic assets of the city.

“We are proud of the city and want to bring this rundown area of splendid Grey Street back to life.

“We want to give something back to the North East. The shape and size of the property means it is unable to meet the five-star requirements.”

The Malhotra family now owns a tranche of property on Grey Street, numbers 3, 5, 7, 9, and 11, and earlier this year it completed the purchase of the Attic bar on Mosley Street. The family already owns Balmbras.

Edit: After looking at the planning documents, their doesn't seem to be any parking spaces included in this development, so therefor this hotel I assume will not be able to be granted a 5* rating, or am I mistaken?

It says in the article that the shape and size of the property means that it is unable to meet 5 star requirements. So, I guess they saying that they are going to offer 5 star standards in a 4 star hotel; if that is possible.

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It says in the article that the shape and size of the property means that it is unable to meet 5 star requirements. So, I guess they saying that they are going to offer 5 star standards in a 4 star hotel; if that is possible.

In the Design, Access and Heritage Statement by _space this comment is made:

The application is for the proposed conversion and refurbishment of buildings located at 5-13 Grey Street, 5-7 Drury Lane and 6-8 Cloth Market (Balmbras Bar) into a leisure complex that includes a minimum four star hotel to Grey Street and Drury lane and a high quality bar to the Cloth Market and Drury Lane.

__________________
Regards

Steve Ellwood

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Balmbras pub will be part of a new Hotel Development
by Andy Hughes, Evening Chronicle, March 18th 2011

A FAMOUS Tyneside pub immortalised in song will not be scrapped as part of a £15m hotel development.

Last night, the Chronicle revealed how the Malhotra family has submitted plans for a 55-room luxury hotel which will have entrances on Grey Street, the Cloth Market and Mosley Street.

It was feared it would mean the end for the Balmbras dance hall, which is included in the plans, but the developers today told how the Cloth Market venue will be retained in some form.

Chief executive of DAV Developments Devinder “Bunty” Malhotra said: “People should not worry, Balmbras is part of the bigger development and all its historic features will remain intact.

“Although I’m not sure of the exact plans, I can assure you Balmbras will still be there. “We are well aware of how important Balmbras is to the people of the North East.” Balmbras, which is already owned by the wealthy family, is included in the Geordie anthem Blaydon Races which was written by Geordie Ridley in 1862.

Newcastle needs more high quality hotels and bars so I welcome this. I've heard many times that the quality just isn't there when you compare to London, Birmingham or even Manchester. Although saying that it will rival the Dorchester seems like a stretch.

And I love the idea of making more of Drury Lane, it's wasted as it is.